Argentina's World Cup hopes have been thrown into chaos after Lionel Messi was banned for four qualifiers for abusing an assistant referee.

FIFA announced the ban just hours before Argentina were due to play Bolivia - after Messi was caught on camera shouting at the official, who had flagged for a late foul against him in his country's 1-0 win over Chile last Thursday.

The Argentina forward was also fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,100) for "having directed insulting words" at the official during his side's World Cup qualifier with Chile last Thursday.

However, the 29-year-old's bigger punishment is the ban and after missing tonight's match, he will also sit out the qualifier in Uruguay in August, as well as home games Venezuela and Peru in September and October - meaning he will only be able to return for Argentina's final qualifying match away to Ecuador.

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Argentina lie third in the South American qualifying group, with only the top four guaranteed a place in Russia 2018.Only three points separate second-placed Uruguay and Chile in sixth, meaning Messi's absences could prove costly for his country.

A statement from FIFA said: "Footballer Lionel Messi has been found guilty of violating art. 57 of the FDC (FIFA disciplinary code) for having directed insulting words at an assistant referee.

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"As a result, Lionel Messi will be suspended for four official matches and sanctioned with a fine of CHF 10,000."It added that the suspension was "in line with the FIFA disciplinary committee's previous rulings in similar cases".